Linebacker and outspoken LGBT rights activist Brendon Ayanbadejo, may be facing his greatest challenge yet – free agency.
In his 12 years as a professional football player, Ayanbadejo may be better known for his off-the-field comments than his on-the field-play. Off the field Ayanbadejo is a longtime ally of the LGBT community, and a big advocate for same-sex marriage. On the field, Ayanbadejo is a three-time pro-bowler, two-time all pro, and a Super Bowl Champion. He was released in training camp by the Baltimore Ravens earlier this offseason.
True to form, Ayanbadejo was not shy when discussing his release. In fact, he feels that his forthright persona with the media had a hand in his release.
“I was a vocal guy and garnered a lot of attention,” Ayanbadejo said. “I brought a lot of issues with me to the Super Bowl and the issues came up at the Super Bowl. …My bark is louder than my bite. I make a lot of noise and garner a lot of attention for various things off the football field. When that starts happening, why do you have that player around?”
The Ravens have responded publicly to Ayanbadejo’s comments, saying that the decision to release him was solely football based.
“We’re surprised that he would indicate this,” Kevin Bryne said in an interview with Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Byrne is the Ravens’ vice-president for public and community relations. “We have always been respectful of Brendon’s opinions and his right to express those. Our decision regarding his departure from the team has everything to do with football. Nothing else.”
A move like this does make a bit of sense from the Ravens standpoint, as Ayanbadejo’s play has fallen off in recent years. As a special teams guy, the Ravens can reasonably fill Ayanbadejo’s role for a lot less money. The team will save $800,000 in cap space next season because of his release.
There may not be a whole lot of places to go for the 36-year-old linebacker. There are a plethora of NFL free agents looking for jobs this year. Over 650 NFL players were unsigned going into this year’s offseason, which means finding a new home could prove difficult. However, for an outspoken player, Ayanbadejo is not afraid of going quietly.
“Either way, I’m happy with it,” Ayanbadejo said in an interview with USA Today. “If someone needs a linebacker, I’m ready to go. And if not, well, then I’m ready to do the things I haven’t had the time to do before. There is a lot of life left to be lived.”
Ayanbadejo also said that he plans to be a guest editor of the Washington Blade, a popular LGBT newspaper.
Whether by design or by accident there is no doubt that Ayanbadejo has set a precedent for NFL players in terms of speaking out. In today’s era of social media, and 24-hour news networks, athletes have more of a platform than ever before. We can only hope that others will see Ayanbadejo’s example and learn from it.
If last year’s Ravens Super Bowl celebration turns out to be the last time we see Brendon Ayanbadejo in an NFL uniform, he wants us to know he has no regrets about leaving the game he loves.
“I graduated college in ’99, and I’m going on 37,” Ayanbadejo said. “For a guy in my field, I’ve done everything you can do in the NFL. There’s no need to cry for me.”
